Peckham Theatre of Varieties (late People’s Palace), Southampton Street, Peckham

PECKHAM VARIETIES. The People's Palace, Peckham, no longer exists. It has now been changed into the New Peckham Theatre of Varieties, which opened its doors on Monday evening to an excited and enthusiastic crowd. We may at once compliment the proprietor, Mr Lovejoy, upon the immense improvements that has been effected in so short a space of time; for in the limited period of eleven weeks an entirely new building has been reared upon the ground plan of the old The rebuilding has been carried out under the direction of Mr Harry Percival, architect, who has also planned considerable alterations in the "Rosemary Branch" adjoining. If Mr Percival's principal aim has been to secure comfort rather than pretentiousness he has completely succeeded; for the New Peckham Theatre of Varieties has a snug air about it that should speedily put the visitor at his ease. The ground floor has been lowered, the seats being classed as reserved stalls, stalls, and area, and in place of the slightly raised platform formerly existing at the back of the hall a spacious balcony has been built all round, each end being contiguous to four private boxes, The orchestra play in a sunken space in front of the stage, which has been entirely rebuilt and much enlarged, a much-needed improvement. The decorations, hardly as yet finished, have been carried out simply and tastefully, the principal colours employed being soft green and pink. Mr Corbould, the scenic artist, we are glad to note, has relinquished the study of the antique. We recognised his artistic touch in an act-drop which we 'may term orientalesque, and his brush has also been usefully employed on some effective backcloths, one of which, an English landscape, proves that the painter is more at home when he can verify the locale of his subject than when he has to trust to imagination. Mr Lovejoy must have spent no inconsiderable sum in the remodelling and embellishment of his property; but there is every. reason to hope that the new hall will be more generally appreciated by the people of Peckham, and that increased audiences will flock there. [The Era 10 October 1885 page 10].

PECKHAM THEATRE OF VARIETIES - Under this title, the old “People’s Palace” in Southampton Street, Peckham, was reopened on Monday, after having undergone extensive alterations. The new building will hold nearly 1,000 persons, having had the addition of a gallery and eight private boxes. The architect was Mr. Harry Percival, and his skilful guidance the new building has been made to possess the modern requirements of public amusement resorts. Perfection seems to have been aimed at, and with considerable success. Fire has been guarded against, hydrants having been fixed in various parts of the building, while Swedish galvanized fire-proof iron has been extensively used. Broad stone staircases lead to the gallery, and the hall could be emptied in less than five minutes. The ventilation is perfect. Wenham’s atmospheric burners, which consume their own heat, are used for lighting purposes, and by the insertion in the roof of large squares of perforated zinc, a desirable coolness to the atmosphere is secured all weathers. The decorations are artistic and tasteful, and whilst accommodation is provided for nearly 1,000 persons, impression of even greater spaciousness than these numbers afford is conveyed by the loftiness of the hall. The resumption the capital entertainments always provided by Mr. A. F. Lovejoy will be hailed with satisfaction by that influential section of the amusement-seeking public who not averse to music-hall performances. The hall was crowded on Monday evening, when first-class company occupied the stage, and rendered the evening thoroughly enjoyable. [South London Press 10 October 1885 page 2]

Reference    South London Observer Wednesday 26 August 1885 page 5 - advert
Reference    The Era 10 October 1885 page 10
Reference    South London Press 10 October 1885 page 2